MGB: Natural, human initiated processes cause landslide in Benito Soliven
Posted: June 23, 2021
Tuguegarao City, Cagayan- A landslide which occurred in Purok Bakikir, Brgy. Yeban in Benito Soliven, Isabela were combined effects of natural and human initiated processes.
This was the initial findings and observations of the team of geologists of Mines and Geosciences Bureau Region II headed by Senior Geologist Oliver Hans H. Lapina together with C/Science Research Specialist Jessa Ammugauan, and C/Geologist II Ma. Ana Claraval on the conducted geological assessment on June 10, 2021.
Bonifacio Viernes, barangay captain of Yeban Norte said during the interview that the area has been experiencing various landslide incidents, but it was during the onslaught of Typhoon Juaning in 2011 when a tension crack started to develop along the residential area and barangay road.
MGB findings cited the underlying lithology of the area is composed dark, brown, highly weathered, unconsolidated sandstone. These types of lithologies are considered weak and may easily be over saturated and eroded.
Moreover, presence of springs and disturbed shallow groundwater level in the area is also a contributing factor that have resulted to increase in water content of the materials that led to the reduced slope stability.
“There were only 50 houses in the area. At present, there are already 95 fully concrete, one to two-storey houses built on top of the possible accumulation zone,” May Florence Abu, municipal disaster risk reduction management officer of Benito Soliven said during the interview.
The construction of fully concrete houses led to the overloading in the area and the unregulated agricultural activities along the slopes have threatened the structural integrity and disturbed the stability of the slope that resulted to a mass movement.
During the assessment, the team which composed of MGB ROII Geologists, MDRRM, and barangay officials of Benito Soliven noted that evidences of mass movement such as rock fall, tension cracks, sudden disappearance of spring water, and sudden reappearance of murky spring water within the vicinity could possibly indicate that the area is still unstable and may still possibly lead to another landslide incident.
Based on the MGB 1:10,000 Scale Geohazard Map, the assessed area in Brgy. Yeban in Benito Soliven is classified as having high susceptibility to rain-induced landslide rating.
With the impact of the landslide, the Bureau recommends for the immediate relocation/evacuation of the residents to a more stable and safer grounds. Locate and control possible accumulation zone of the debris and earth materials that would expose a direct danger to the local community. Establish a proper drainage system that can accommodate the maximum historical run-off values as well as surface run-off that may drain in the area.
Further, debris accumulation zone areas must not be used for community settlement. As these areas will be directly affected by landslides and flash floods.
Geologists conduct post-geohazard assessment
Tuguegarao City, Cagayan- The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. II conducted its post-geohazard assessment to continuously monitor areas that were flooded brought by Severe Tropical Storm (STS) Maring.
A team of geologists namely: Aina S. Claravall, Jose Santiago Feril and Rea Maye Leslie Mejares together with Officer-In- Charge of CENRO Aparri Joselito Razon, and staff of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office of Sta. Teresita and Buguey conducted an ocular inspection in the municipalities of Sta. Teresita and Buguey, Cagayan.
Based on the results of the assessment, the municipalities serve as catch basins of all surface water runoffs, creeks, and river from higher elevation since the areas are situated on relatively low-lying areas.
“Overflowing waters from existing water bodies tend to accumulate within these areas,” Mejares said.
Mejares added that the lack of proper drainage systems is also one of the reasons why rainwater logs in the area.
The drainage systems are too narrow to convey rainwater effectively. “The heavy rainfall causes massive water logging due to the lack of proper drainage system that cannot accommodate a large volume of water,” she said.
As seen in the ocular inspection, the situation also worsened with the presence of numerous obstructions that restricts the flow of water along the natural and man-made drainage lines.
The Buguey Lagoon is also noticeably heavily silted with barrier sand deposits actively forming along that resulted to the formation of bottleneck. This impedes the flow of water directly into the Babuyan Channel.
The 13 barangays of Sta. Teresita and 27 out of 30 barangays of Buguey were inundated by floodwaters during the onslaught of STS Maring.
MGB beefs up program implementation for 2022
Tuguegarao City, Cagayan- To ensure effective implementation of the programs, plans, and projects for 2022, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau spearheaded Financial Year (FY) 2022 Programming Workshop cum Management Conference held on October 25-29, 2021 via virtual platform.
The programming workshop tackled the MGB National Expenditure Program for FY 2022, communication plan, and the performance indicators of the physical targets of the Finance and Administrative Division of the regional offices.
The Geological Risk Reduction and Resiliency Program and the Mineral Resources and Geosciences Development Program which consists of Geologic Mapping and Mineral Reservation Programs were also discussed during the programming workshop.
Under the Geological Risk Reduction and Resiliency Program, MGB will further conduct Land and Coastal Geohazard Assessment, Groundwater Resource Assessment, and Vulnerability Assessment. This is to further assess the vulnerability and risk exposure to possible geohazards of the communities.
The parallel sessions likewise tackled activities on small-scale mining and anti-illegal mining under the Mineral Resources Enforcement and Regulatory Program.
In line with monitoring and enforcement, the parallel sessions also discussed the mining tenements management and programs for mine safety, environment, and social development under the Mineral Resources Enforcement and Regulatory Program.
The sessions also tackled Gender and Development (GAD) programs of the Bureau for 2022 and MGB Information Systems Strategic Plan (ISSP).
“In this programming workshop we will be talking about achievements and accomplishments that each region has accomplished and if there are deficiencies and unaccomplished targets,” Bureau Director Atty. Wilfredo G. Moncano said during his opening message.
The Bureau Director also reminded the participants that the output of the workshop should be programs and activities that are specific and attainable.
“The targeted activities should be achievable and timebound,” Director Moncano said.
The programming workshop was participated in by Bureau Director Atty. Wilfredo G. Moncano, Assistant Director Engr. Roland A. De Jesus, Regional Directors, and other officials and employees in MGB Central and 15 Regional Offices.
DENR-MGB clamps down on illegal, small-scale miners in Nueva Vizcaya
Tuguegarao City, Cagayan-The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) led the dismantling of various illegal mining equipment during a series of operations conducted against small-scale mining activities in Quezon town, Nueva Vizcaya province from July 27 to 29.
The joint operations which were carried out by MGB-Region 2, DENR Region 2, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office-Nueva Vizcaya, Community Environment and Natural Resources Office-Aritao, National Bureau of Investigation-Region 2, Philippine National Police, and Armed Forces of the Philippines, in coordination with FCF Minerals Corporation, cracked down on ball mills, shafting, diesel engines, pulleys, and other equipment used in illegal small-scale mining activities at Barangay Runruno.
"In the case of illegal small-scale mining, miners tend to dig and drill with no proper control on extractive operations. These unregulated mining activities pose dangers to the environment, and even to human lives," said DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu.
MGB-Region 2 Director Mario A. Ancheta said the absence of documents, permits, or authority in the conduct of mining operations and the transport of minerals/mineral products and by-products will be considered as prima facie evidence of illegal mining.
"This shall cause the seizure/confiscation of the minerals/mineral products and by-products and the tools, conveyances, and equipment used in the commission of the offense in favor of the government," Ancheta pointed out.
Prior to the operation, MGB-Region 2 directed an investigation of the ongoing small-scale mining operations within the Financial or Technical Assistance Agreement (FTAA) contract area of mining firm FCF Minerals Corporation.
MGB said that the said firm has not yet utilized or developed the said area.
Given the location, Ancheta pointed out that the mining area cannot be declared as a "Minahang Bayan" site.
He added that despite constant dialogues and warnings, the small-scale miners, who were identified to be illegal settlers, continued to defy the MGB's order to vacate and leave the area.
The MGB-Region 2 served cease-and-desist orders against the illegal mining activities last July 7 to 9.
"I have previously proposed to these illegal miners to look for other areas that can be applied for as Minahang Bayan since this area is prohibited. However, they continue to extract the area," Ancheta said.
Charges will be filed against the miners for violation of Republic Act (RA) 7942 or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 and RA 7076 or the People’s Small-Scale Mining Act of 1991.
The implementing rules and regulations of RA 7076 state that: "No small-scale mining shall be undertaken outside a Minahang Bayan and that no entity shall engage in small-scale mining without a small-scale mining contract."
MGB-Region 2 has been monitoring the activities in the area since a landslide occurred on Nov. 13, 2020. It has previously recommended to the local government of Quezon, Nueva Vizcaya to relocate the illegal settlers.
MGB 2 leads virtual pep talk on responsible mining
Tuguegarao City, Cagayan- The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Region II spearheaded a virtual pep talk on responsible mining conducted last July 7, 2021.
Engr. Mario A. Ancheta, MGB Director led the pep talk joined by representatives from OceanaGold Philippines, Inc. and FCF Minerals Corporation, both large-scale mining companies in the region.
The virtual pep talk revolved on topics regarding environmental initiatives of the mining companies as well as their corporate social responsibility.
The talk also focused on their regional tax contribution as well as their Social Development Management Program.
The pep talk aims to raise awareness on responsible mining practices and to educate on the environmental programs of the mining companies.
Members of the local media also joined the activity via zoom. The pep talk was hosted by the Philippine Information Agency Region II.